(September 26, 2012, 7:30 p.m.) -- A 19 year old Long Beach man was fatally shot at midevening (Sept. 25) while walking on busy 7th St. in the area of Rose Ave. just steps from a 12 year old relative who was riding her scooter in front of him.

LBPD Public Information Officer Sgt. Aaron Eaton says Detectives worked continuously since the murder...and have three suspects in custody.

PIO Sgt. Eaton says that at at about 8:50 p.m. on Sept. 25, a "shots fired" call brought officers to the area of 7th/Rose where Gerardo Placencia, 19, of Long Beach was found suffering from a gunshot wound.

LBPD says its investigation indicates Mr. Placencia walked past the three suspects who were leaving a business [unidentified by LBPD] in the area of Gaviota Avenue and 7th Street...and a 12 year old relative of the victim was riding her scooter just in front of him.

The three suspects allegedly confronted Mr. Placencia and asked him to what gang he belonged. When he didn't respond and tried to hurry up his relative so they could get out of the area, the suspects allegedly followed him -- on bicycles -- and caught up to him just before Rose Ave.

At that point, one of the suspects without provocation produced a firearm and shot the victim multiple times...and the suspects then fled the area, PIO/Sgt. Eaton says.

A female relative went into a store to seek assistance; LBFD Paramedics rushed Mr. Placencia to a hospital...where he was pronounced dead.

LBPD PIO/Sgt. Eaton says investigators have worked continuously since the murder and have arrested three Long Beach residents for the crime: Montreal Hill, 19; Eric Hubbard, 18...and a 15-year-old male juvenile.

All of the suspects are currently being held on gang related murder charges.

LBPD says it will be presenting the case to the L.A. County District Attorney for consideration of filing charges.